Fiber optic adapter including removable mount

ABSTRACT

A fiber optic adapter or adapter assembly including a pair of clip arms extending from opposite sides. The clip arms include an angled outer surface and sides of a housing of the adapter include opposing flanges, the clips arms and the flanges cooperating to releasably hold the adapter to a mounting location. The clip arms each including an angled outer surface which engages sides at the mounting location to hold the adapter at the mounting location. Pulling on a first end of the adapter to remove it from the mounting location causes the sides to engage the angled outer surface of the clip arms and permit the adapter to be removed from the mounting location toward the first end.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to telecommunications cable connections. More specifically, the present invention relates to adapters more connecting fiber optic telecommunications cables and removable mounts for such adapters.

BACKGROUND

In telecommunications installations and expansions of services, it is becoming more and more common to include optical fiber cables in the transmission infrastructure. These optical fiber cables may be connected to each other using a fiber optic adapter. To connect cables with an adapter, the cables need to be terminated with a connector configured to be received within opposite ends of the adapter. A variety of adapter and connector formats are available for use in connecting such cables.

Existing adapters are often mounted within openings in bulkheads and held in place by spring loaded clips extending from the sides of the adapter and opposed by flanges. These clips do hold the adapters securely within the opening in the bulkhead but may be difficult or inconvenient to release if the adapter needs to be removed or replaced. It is sometimes desirable to access both ends of the adapter, for instance, to clean the ends of the optical path through the adapter or a connector inserted in the rear of the adapter. Access to both sides of the bulkhead or mounting location may be restricted, so that existing adapter mounting devices do not permit access to a rear connector. Alternatively, these adapters may be held in place by screws or other fasteners extending through the flanges. The screws do securely hold the adapter to the opening but require a tool to remove.

Improvement of existing adapters is desirable.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates generally to a clip arm for holding a fiber optic adapter at a mounting location. The clip arm includes a ramped outer surface which engages sides of the mounting location and cooperate with flanges of the adapter to releasably hold the adapter at the mounting location. Pulling on a first end of the adapter causes the side of the mounting location to engage the ramped outer surface of the clip arms and deflect the clip arms inward. The deflection of the clip arms is sufficient to permit an outermost point of each clip arm to pass between the sides of the mounting location and allow the adapter to be removed from the mounting location. The present invention also relates to a fiber optic adapter assembly including a clip arm with a ramped outer surface for releasably engaging and holding the adapter at a mounting location. The present invention further relates to a method of removing a fiber optic adapter from a mounting location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the invention and together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a fiber optic adapter with a prior art retainer clip.

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the adapter and prior art retainer clip of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the adapter and prior art retainer clip of FIG. 1, showing a cross-sectional representation of sides of a mounting location positioned between the retainer clip and a flange.

FIG. 4 is a first perspective view of a fiber optic adapter with a removable retainer clip according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a second perspective view of the fiber optic adapter and retainer clip of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the adapter and retainer clip of FIG. 4, showing a cross-sectional representation of sides of a mounting location positioned between the retainer clip and a flange.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the adapter and retainer clip of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the retainer clip of FIG. 4, removed from the adapter.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the retainer clip of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the retainer clip of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the retainer clip of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a top schematic view of a side of the retainer clip of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the adapter and retainer clip of FIG. 4 is position for insertion within an adapter mount.

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the adapter mount of FIG. 13, with the adapter and retainer clip of FIG. 4 positioned at a mounting location.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the adapter mount, adapter and retainer clip of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present invention which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 3, a prior art adapter assembly 10 includes a housing 12 with a first end 14 and an opposite second end 16. Each of the ends 14 and 16 include at least one opening 28 to receive and mate with a fiber optic connector which may terminate a fiber optic cable. Adapters such as shown in assembly 10 may align and orient two such connectors, one positioned in each end, so that optical signals may be transmitted between the two cables. Often such adapter assemblies are mounted to an opening in a bulkhead, telecommunications panel or other device as part of a telecommunications circuit.

To secure assembly 10 to the opening in the device, a retainer clip 18 is mounted to housing 12 and includes a pair of clip arms 20 extending away from a pair of sides 22 of housing 12. Each clip arm 20 includes a distal end 26 and each side 22 includes an outwardly extending flange 24. Each distal end 26 cooperates with an opposing face 30 of one of the flanges to aid in securing assembly 10 to the opening in the device. As can be seen in FIG. 3, distal ends 26 are spaced apart from opposing faces 30 to receive a side 32 of an opening in bulkhead 34. To release assembly 10 from bulkhead 34, access to both faces of bulkhead 34 are preferable, as spring arms 20 must be depressed adjacent one face while assembly 10 is withdrawn from the other face. Since both sides of bulkhead 34 may not be easily accessible, it is desirable that housing 12 be provided with a releasable device for mounting to bulkhead 34 which may be released and removed from only one side of bulkhead 34. It is desirable that a new adapter assembly be provided which allows for removal from a mounting location with access from only one side of the mounting location and without the need for tools or the direct actuation of any portion of the retaining clip by a user.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 to 7, an adapter assembly 100 in accordance with the present invention includes a housing 112 and a retainer clip 118. Housing 112 includes a first end 114 and a second end 116, each with openings 128 for receiving fiber optic connectors. Retainer clip 118 includes clip arms 120 extending along sides 122 of housing 112. Sides 122 each include a flange 124 with a face 130 that cooperates with clip arm 120 to hold assembly 100 to a mounting location. While housings 12 of assembly 10 and 112 of assembly 100 are similar in construction and purpose, retainer clip 118 with clip arms 120 permits assembly 100 to be mounted and removed without requiring access to both faces of a mounting location. Clip arms 120 are positioned between flange 124 and second end 116, and configured to permit second end 116 to be inserted at a mounting location.

Assembly 100 may be mounted within an opening or other mounting location by inserting second end 116 through a front face of the mounting location so that clip arms 120 pass through the opening and engage a rear face of the mounting location. Assembly 100 may be removed by pulling on first end 114 in a direction generally opposite the direction of insertion without the user needing to actuate a portion of retaining clip 118 directly, or requiring access to the rear face to depress any portion of clip arms 120. Assembly 100 can also be removed from the mounting location without the use of any tools. As shown in FIG. 6, sides 32 of bulkhead 34 are captured between second ramps 152 and opposing faces 130 of flanges 124. Assembly 100 may be held relatively fixed between second ramps 152 and opposing faces 130, with second ramps 152 engaging sides 32. Alternatively, assembly 100 may be held more loosely, with some space between sides 32 and second ramps 152 and opposing faces 130.

Retainer clip 118 is preferably made of a resilient material such as spring steel or a metal of similar properties that will tend to return to its original shape when flexed. Alternatively, spring arms 120 could be formed integrally with housing 112 and a separate retainer clip 118 would not be needed. In this alternative, the spring arms and the housing may be made of a plastic or similar molded material which provides the necessary rigidity and strength for housing 112 and the desired resilient characteristics needed for spring arms 120.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, adapter 12 is configured to receive LC format fiber optic connectors in each of the first and second ends. It is anticipated that adapters configured to receive different format fiber optic connectors may be used with the present invention. It is also anticipated that adapters which may be configured to receive connectors of different formats in each end may be used with the present invention.

FIGS. 8 to 11 show retainer clip 118 and clip arms 120 including a first ramped portion or ramp 150 and a second ramped portion or ramp 152. A first end 158 of first ramp 150 is attached or formed integrally with a side 156 and extends from first end 158 to a second end 160. Second end 160 is also the point of furthest extension away from an outer wall 157 of side 156. Second ramp 152 is connected to or formed integrally with first ramp 150 at second end 160, which also defines a point of furthest extension of clip arm 120 from side 156. Second ramp 152 extends from point of furthest extension 160 to a distal end 162 adjacent side 156. As shown, distal end 162 extends beyond an inner wall 166 of side 156. When retainer clip 118 is placed about a housing 112, distal end 162 will preferably rest against side 122 and may be deflected slightly outboard by side 122, as side 122 engages inner wall 166. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, sides 156 of clip arm 118 and sides 122 of housing 112 lie directly adjacent each other and are generally parallel. As shown in FIG. 9, clip arm 120 may be formed integrally with side 156 from a portion of material removed to form an opening 164 about three sides of clip arm 120.

Second end 160 of first ramp 150 is deflected out from side 156 so that first ramp 150 forms an angle with respect to side 156. Second ramp 152 extends from second end and point of furthest extension 160 to distal end 162 at or inboard with respect to side 156. An angle 250 (shown in FIG. 12) between first ramp 150 and side 156 is relatively shallow and engages sides 32 of bulkhead 34 or other mounting location as second end 116 is inserted for mounting at the mounting location. As sides 32 engage first ramps 150, clip arms 120 are deflected inward to permit second end and point of furthest extension 160 to pass between sides 32. Once second end and point of furthest extension 160 has passed through and beyond sides 32, clip arms 120 are urged to their original undeformed positions. Sides 32 of the mounting opening are captured between point 160 and inner wall 130 of flange 124, with an outer face 168 of second ramp 152 angled from point 160 toward side 122 of housing 112.

To remove assembly 100 from within a mounting location such as the opening between sides 32, a force is exerted on first end 114 of assembly 100. By pulling in a direction generally perpendicular to the opening of the mounting location, sides 32 engage outer face 168 of second ramp 152 and deflect clip arms 120 inward. This moves points 160 close enough to sides 122 to permit assembly 100 be moved from between sides 32 of the opening and removed from the mounting location. An angle 252 (shown in FIG. 12) defined between outer face 168 and side 156 of clip arm 120 (and also side 122 of housing 112) is preferably steeper than angle 250. This difference in angles promotes an easier insertion of assembly 100 into the mounting location and a greater force being required to remove assembly 100 from the mounting location.

It is desirable that assembly 100 requires a force equal to or greater than about two pounds and up to five pounds to be removed from between sides 32 of the mounting location. This resistance to removal may be generated by a combination of the physical characteristics of the material from which clip arms 120 are formed and the geometry of second ramp 152 of the clip arms 120. Preferably, the angle of second ramp 152 with respect to side 156 (as shown by angle 250 in FIG. 12) or side 122 is between about 19 degrees and about 22 degrees. Preferably, the angle formed by first ramp 150 and side 156 (as shown by angle 252 in FIG. 12) or side 122 is between about 9 degrees and about 11 degrees. Within these ranges, angle 250 is preferably about 20 degrees and angle 252 is preferably about 10.3 degrees.

When one of the spring arms 120 is deflected inward, distal end 162 may engage sides 122 of housing 112. If distal end 162 does engage side 122 as clip arm 120 is deflected, second ramp 152 may provide additional resistance to deflection and additional resistance to insertion and removal of assembly 100 from between sides 32 of the mounting location. Alternatively, clip arm 120 may be formed integrally with side 122 of housing 112. To aid in the retention and removal of assembly 100 between sides 32 of the mounting location, second ramp 152, distal end 162 is preferably at least flush with an outer face of side 122 and may be recessed with respect to side 122.

FIG. 13 shows assembly 100 in position for insertion into a mounting location 202 of an adapter mount 200. Adapter mount 200 includes two mounting locations 202 and assembly 100 is positioned for insertion into the lower mounting location. Adjacent each mounting location 202 are opposing sides 204 with a first face 208. Opposite first faces 208 on either side of mounting locations 202 are apertures 206 for receiving clip arms 120. As assembly 100 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 12 to the mounted position shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, first faces 208 engage first portions 150 of clip arms 120 and deflect clip arms 120 inward until outermost point 160 passes between sides 204 and into apertures 206.

Once assembly 100 has been inserted at mounting location 202, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, clip arms 120 return to their non-defected positions within aperture 206. Outermost point 160 returns to its position defining a width greater than a width defined between sides 204. Outer face 168 of second ramp 152 engages a second face 210 of side 204 while flange 124 engages first face 208 of side 204. The cooperation of these features holds assembly 100 within mounting location 202. Mounting location 202 also includes an opening 212 through which second end 116 of assembly 100 are accessible so that fiber optic connectors may be inserted within openings 128.

Removal of assembly 100 from mounting location 202 is effected by exerting a force on assembly 100 to move it from mounting location 202 toward first end 114. As force is exerted on assembly 100, second faces 210 engage outer faces 168 and deflects clip arms 120 inward so that outermost point 160 can slide between sides 204 and out of apertures 206. Due to the preferable difference in geometry of first ramp 150 and second ramp 152, the insertion of assembly 100 into mounting location 202 should be easier to accomplish than the removal of assembly 100 from mounting location 202. However, as long as assembly 100 provides adequate resistance to removal from mounting location, the relationship of the geometry and shape of ramps 150 and 152 may be changed as desired.

The embodiments of the inventions disclosed herein have been discussed for the purpose of familiarizing the reader with novel aspects of the present invention. Although preferred embodiments have been shown and described, many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having skill in the art without unnecessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Having described preferred aspects and embodiments of the present invention, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts may readily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it is intended that such modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of the claims which are appended hereto. 

1. A fiber optic adapter comprising: a body defining first and second openings at opposing first and second ends, the first opening sized for receiving a first fiber optic connector, the second opening sized for receiving a second fiber optic connector; a flange extending from the body and positioned between the first and second ends; a flexible tab extending from the body with a first ramp facing the first end and a second ramp facing the second end.
 2. The fiber optic adapter of claim 1, further comprising a second flexible tab extending from the body, the second flexible tab including a first ramp facing the first end and a second ramp facing the second end.
 3. The fiber optic adapter of claim 2, wherein a metal clip positioned about the body forms both the first and the second flexible tabs.
 4. A fiber optic adapter comprising: a housing with a first end for receiving a first fiber optic connector and an opposing second end for receiving a second fiber optic connector, the housing including a pair of opposite sides each with an outwardly extending flange; a spring arm extending outwardly from each side between the flange and the first end of the housing, the spring arm including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including an inner end adjacent the side and the second portion attached to an outer end of the first portion; the first portion extending away from the housing at an angle with respect to the side of the housing, with the inner end positioned toward the first end of the housing and the outer end positioned toward the flange; the second portion extending from the outer end of the first portion toward the flange and angled toward the housing with a distal end of the second portion extending to the side of the housing.
 5. The fiber optic adapter of claim 4, wherein the spring arms are included as part of a retainer clip which extends along each side of the housing and a transverse portion extending between the sides, wherein the spring arms each extend from the retainer clip.
 6. The fiber optic adapter of claim 5, wherein the spring arms are integral with the retainer clip.
 7. The fiber optic adapter of claim 4, wherein the spring arms are made of a resilient material.
 8. The fiber optic adapter of claim 7, wherein the spring arms are made of metal.
 9. The fiber optic adapter of claim 4, wherein the first portion forms an angle of between about 9 degrees and about 11 degrees with respect to the side of the housing.
 10. The fiber optic adapter of claim 9, wherein the first portion forms an angle of—about 10.3 degrees with respect to the side of the housing.
 11. The fiber optic adapter of claim 4, wherein the second portion forms an angle of between about 19 degrees and about 22 degrees with respect to the side of the housing.
 12. The fiber optic adapter of claim 11, wherein the second portion forms an angle of about 20 degrees with respect to the side of the housing.
 13. A fiber optic adapter comprising: a housing with a first end for receiving a first fiber optic connector and an opposing second end for receiving a second fiber optic connector, the housing including a pair of opposite sides each with an outwardly extending flange; a retainer clip extending at least partially about the housing at a point between the flange of the housing and the first end; the retainer clip including two side pieces extending along the sides of the housing and a transverse piece connecting the side pieces, each side piece having an inner wall adjacent the housing and an outer wall; each side piece including a spring arm with a first portion and a second portion, a first end of the first portion attached to the side piece and the second portion attached to an opposite second end of the first portion; the first portion of the spring arm extending outwardly at an angle beyond the outer wall of the side piece forming a first ramp angled toward the first end; the second portion of the spring arm extending from the second end of the first portion toward the flange and forming a second ramp angled toward the flange with a distal end of the second portion extending to the outer wall of the side piece.
 14. The fiber optic adapter of claim 13, wherein the first end of the housing is sized and configured to receive and mate with an LC connector.
 15. The fiber optic adapter of claim 14, wherein the second end of the housing is sized and configured to receive and mate with an LC connector.
 16. The fiber optic adapter of claim 13, further comprising a mounting position defining an opening sized to receive the housing, the opening including a pair of opposing sides between which the sides of the housing may pass, wherein the first end of the housing and the first portion of the spring arm are positioned on one side of the mounting position, the flange is positioned on an opposite side, and one of the sides of the opening is captured between one of the flanges and one of the second portions.
 17. The fiber optic adapter of claim 16, wherein the spring arms are configured to provide at least two pounds of resistance to removal of the housing from the mounting position by a force exerted on the second end of the housing generally along an axis of insertion for the second optical fiber connector.
 18. A method of accessing of a fiber optic adapter comprising: providing a mounting location and a fiber optic adapter mounted at the mounting location, the fiber optic adapter including a pair of clip arms and a pair of opposing sides, one clip arm extending from each opposing side of the fiber optic adapter, the clip arms each including an angled outer surface which engages a side of the mounting location to releasably hold the fiber optic adapter at the mounting location; pulling on an end of the fiber optic adapter opposite where the clip arms engage the sides of the mounting location, the sides of the mounting location engaging the angled outer surface of the clip arms; deflecting the clip arms with the sides of the mounting location sufficiently to permit an outermost point of each clip arm to pass between the sides of the mounting location; removing the fiber optic adapter from the mounting location after the outermost point of each of the clip arms has passed between the sides of the mounting location. 